Welcome to Part 3 of the 6 part series on “How To Become A Better Mountain Biker”. These are tips and tricks that I have used over the years to become a better rider. You may find all or some of these useful, but I can guarantee you that every single one of these tips worked and still work to this day. These should help every rider…from the beginner to the seasoned veteran. If your goal is to become a better rider…read on and keep the rubber side down!
Diversification – “Variety Is The Spice Of Life”
In case you missed it…take a look at the other articles in the series.
- Part 1 – Ride Different Trails
- Part 2 – Sessioning
- Part 3 – Diversify
- Part 4 – Miles…Miles…and More Miles…
- Part 5 – Cross Training
- Part 6 – Heavy Bike Training
Diversification
It is true, if you diversify your riding…you will become a better rider. This is a well known fact among many different disciplines in many sports. Why do you think there are stories of football players taking dance lessons? The more your body gets used to being out of its normal atmosphere, the more skills you pick up and apply to your favorite kind of riding style. In the end, you become a better mountain biker.
Quick Story…
As I started progressing through my cross country riding journey, I noticed one distinct problem in my progress. I would make huge gains over a short period of time, and then my progression would come to a screeching halt. It was almost as though I had hit a plateau and I was not going to ever increase my skill level or endurance. As a recreational rider and occasional racer, this may not be a big deal, but my need to get better kept the drive going.
I started to look for ways that I could get past that hump. The next logical step was to try out single speeding. I built up a single speed and hit the trails. I noticed right away that my sit and spin style on the full squish was not appropriate, so I instantly changed to stand and hammer. The next day I got out of bed sore and this was the first time…in a long time…that riding a bike had caused that sensation!
After weeks on the ss, I took the full suspension mountain bike out on a long group ride. I noticed several instant changes.
- My upper body endurance had increased.
- I carried more momentum into the climbs and turns.
- I had better burst speed.
None of this would have happened as quickly if I hadn’t journeyed outside of my riding comfort zone into the land of single speeding.
How Can I Diversify?
Once I figured out this sure fire way to increase my skills as a mountain biker, I searched for other ways to get similar results. As a side affect, I also found other disciplines of mountain biking that I thoroughly enjoy. There is never one way to ride a bike and some people even do it with skinny tires on the road! So here is a list of ways to ride a bike. If you are looking to increase your skill level in the brand of riding that you have grown to love…try out one of these to make the experience even better.
Single Speed
As I said in my little story, single speeding requires a different kind of riding style that will challenge you in a new way on the trails that you currently ride if you are a cross country buff. Even better, an old hard tail bike frame can convert into a single speed on a low budget. There are even fully built ss’s on the market around the 500 – 600 dollar range.
How is single speeding different?
- With only one gear, you have to carry the momentum you have into everything. This equals less braking (makes you better in high speed turns).
- You will also use your leverage on the bars to power through climbs that results in more upper body strength and endurance.
- Both of those together are going to increase leg strength and explosive power for faster sprints.
Downhill
There many riders that look at downhilling and think…”I will never be able to do that.” There are some that do not have the desire to even try, but let me remind you of one true fact…riding is a progression. None of those riders started off on a huge jump or drop on their first day. They got to that ability by riding…a lot! Just like with cross country riding…you didn’t go out for a 20+ mile ride on your first time out!
Downhilling will teach you how to control the bike, at speed over obstacles and get you more comfortable in the air. I have noticed the biggest increase in my cross country riding skills through my increase in downhilling. The one major drawback is the cost of entry, but borrow a bike if you can. Even a little time out on a course will bring you huge returns. That little jump on your typical cross country trail that was giving you issues before won’t even be a blip on the radar.
Dirt Jumping
Another low cost of entry alternative, but increased difficulty on finding a local spot to try it out. Dirt jumping at your local bmx track or on the bigger 26″ wheel designed jumps will teach you unbelievable bike control. It also increases your explosive sprinting capabilities. Dirt jumping endurance can be best described by this…resting heart rate –> PEAK HEART RATE –> resting heart rate –> PEAK HEART RATE!
If you are looking at becoming a smoother rider on the trail…this is one to try out.
Ride Length and Difficulty
Are you a local rider that does your local loops? How about a weekend warrior that is into the long ride? It is time to mix it up. Go on some longer, paced rides or shorter sprint rides if that is not your norm. The more you diversify the kind of ride you are doing…even if it is on the same bike…the better. The idea is to step outside of what you are used to doing.
I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING!
Since I already know what you are thinking…I thought I would beat you to the punch. You are looking at everything I have spelled out above and you are thinking…”that is not me, that is not my riding style, I don’t ever see myself doing something like, etc.” THAT IS THE POINT! The more you step out of your comfort zone into another area of cycling, the better you become at biking in general. Get out there and try something new. At the very least, you will pick up some extra skills along the way.
P.S…
I have heard…in very rare occurances…that getting on a road bike from time to time will actually increase your endurance. Shavers will tell you that there is a sharp and dramatic increase, but I have yet to measure these affects so I can not comment. I think they have just been hit in the head too many times by motor vehicles and all of the shaving cream fumes have gone to their head…